South-west China, the Tea Road

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Dali is the old capital of the Yi Kingdome and then the Bai Kingdome. It keeps traces of this glorious past in the old town, which was an important stop on the meridional silk road. Dali, located between the Cangshan mountains (average 4000 m) and the Erhai Lake, is a popular destination for Chinese tourists.


The Lijiang region is dominated by the Naxi ethnic group. Naxi, previously nomads, became sedentary at the beginning of our era. They preserve an original culture, with an animist and shamanist religion, and a matriarchal society. The area is also populated by Yi, Tibetan, Pumi, Nuosu, and Lisu.

• day 1: flight Switzerland - Kunming China
• day 2: arrival in Kunming
Visit of the town.
• day 3: flight Kunming - Dali
Visit of the old town with the 3 pagodas temple.
• day 4: by road to Shaxi
discovery of the old village and the minority groups Bai and Yi, night at Shaxi.
• day 5: excursion to the village of Ma Ping Guan
6 hours walk on the old caravan trail, night at Ma Ping Guan.
• day 6: return to Shaxi by the village of Misha
Stop at a thermal water spring.
• day 7: excursion to visit a Yi mountain village.
• day 8: transfert to Jianchuan
small town known for its wooden and stone sculptures, visit of the town, continuation and night in Lijiang.
• day 9: visit of Lijiang old town and the Black Dragon pool park
Night in Lijiang.
• day 10: excursion from the Naxi village of Yuhu to the village of Wenhai
5 hours walking on the old tea road, night at the ecolodge of Wenhai.
• day 11: transfert from Yuhu to Baisha
Visite of the village and excursion to the village of Shuhe, night at Baisha.
• day 12: road to Daju
Visit of the leaping Tiger gorge, night at Daju.
• day 13: return to Lijiang and flight Lijiang - Kunming
• day 14: flight Kunming - Switzerland
• day 15: arrival in Switzerland

• 31 Oct. - 14 Nov. 2009
• 30 Oct. - 13 Nov. 2010

Price : 4300.- CHF (2850 Euro)
Status : open (confirmed at 4 personnes)

The price includes:

• International flight on regular line Geneva - Kunming and domestic flights (Kunming - Dali) in economy class
• International airport taxes
• Transportation by bus or car as described in the program
• The guide during 2 weeks (Guy Della Valle)
• A Chinese translator during the all trip
• A local guide during the treks
• Accommodation in hotel and guest house and meals, economic standard
• Fees for Museum entrance as planned in the program

The price does not include :

• All insurance and assistance
• Individual equipment
• The drinks and any personal expenses
• Any additional expenses resulting from change in program due to meteorological conditions or in case of force majeure

Additional information

The registration will remain open until two months before departure.
The three excursions will be guided by Guy Della Valle, with a Chinese translator during the all trip and a local guide during the treks.
For participants possibly coming from other countries than Switzerland, the meeting will be at Kunming, on the second day.

For any further question, please contact:
Email: guy@geomontagne.com
Phone: +41 (0)24 4544540